CVE-2023-28571 in APQ8064AU
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Information disclosure in WLAN HOST while processing the WLAN scan descriptor list during roaming scan.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2025
This vulnerability resides in the wireless local area network host implementation where improper handling of wlan scan descriptor lists during roaming operations creates an information disclosure risk. The flaw manifests when the system processes wireless network scan results while transitioning between access points, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive network information that should remain protected during normal operational procedures. The vulnerability specifically affects the wlan host driver or firmware component responsible for managing wireless network connections and scan operations. During roaming scans, the system maintains a list of available wireless networks and their associated parameters, including ssid identifiers, security configurations, and signal strength measurements. The improper processing of this descriptor list leads to memory corruption or buffer overflows that expose internal data structures containing sensitive network information.
The technical implementation flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory management during wlan scan descriptor list processing. When the wireless host receives scan results from multiple access points, it aggregates this information into a descriptor list structure that may contain overlapping or improperly formatted data entries. The system fails to properly sanitize or validate the incoming scan data before storing it in memory, creating opportunities for information leakage. This type of vulnerability typically maps to common weakness enumeration CWE-200, which covers information exposure, and may also relate to CWE-125 for out-of-bounds read conditions. The root cause often involves insufficient bounds checking during array or buffer operations, combined with improper memory deallocation procedures that leave sensitive data accessible in memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as wireless network reconnaissance and targeted exploitation. An attacker positioned within wireless range could leverage this vulnerability to gather information about nearby networks including their security configurations, network names, and operational parameters that would normally remain hidden. This information could facilitate subsequent attacks such as deauthentication attacks, man-in-the-middle operations, or targeted password cracking attempts against discovered networks. The vulnerability particularly affects mobile devices and systems that frequently perform wireless roaming operations, making it especially dangerous in enterprise environments where wireless networks are extensively deployed. Attackers could use the disclosed information to craft more effective attacks against specific network configurations or to identify networks with weaker security implementations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and memory management practices within the wlan host components. System administrators should ensure that wireless firmware and drivers are updated to the latest versions that address the specific memory handling issues in the scan descriptor list processing. Network security teams should implement monitoring solutions that can detect unusual wireless scanning patterns or unauthorized access attempts that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The implementation of proper bounds checking, memory sanitization procedures, and secure coding practices during wireless network component development can prevent similar issues from occurring in future implementations. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and access control measures that limit the impact of information disclosure by restricting access to sensitive wireless network information. Additionally, regular security assessments of wireless infrastructure components should include testing for similar memory handling vulnerabilities that could potentially expose additional sensitive information during normal wireless operations. This vulnerability aligns with attack techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under the category of information gathering and reconnaissance activities that precede more serious exploitation attempts.